CSI MYTHS… BUSTED!
PRESENTED BY: LESLIE MCCAULEY CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR – MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE T.V. OR REALITY ??
• CSIs drive Hummers to crime scene
• CSIs solve 2 cases in 1 hour
• CSIs carry everything they need in 1 briefcase
T.V. OR REALITY ??
• CSIs wear skimpy clothing, high heel shoes, and investigate a scene in a white pants suit
• CSIs never get messy
• CSIs have access to every database under the sun, all from their car or smart phone T.V. OR REALITY ??
• DNA results come back within minutes
• Within seconds of scanning a fingerprint, the computer finds a match and the alarm sounds
• CSIs outline bodies in chalk
• CSIs have extensive knowledge on Forensic Science T.V. OR REALITY ??
• Forensic Scientists only work on murders
• DNA evidence solves every case
• Everything at a crime scene is evidence
DUTIES OF A CSI
• The goals and objectives of a Crime Scene Investigator… Physical Evidence
• documentation • collection • preservation • packaging • transportation • processing • storage • presentation for court CRIME SCENE RESPONSE
Most investigations begin at the scene of the crime.
The entire investigation hinges on that first person being able to properly identify, isolate, and secure the scene. Crime Scene Tape Restrict Access
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
• Fingerprint Processing, Analysis, & Comparison • Track Evidence Collection • Bloodstain Pattern Analysis • Crime Scene Reconstruction • Trace Evidence Collection • Body Search and Recovery/ Skeletal Remains • Forensic Entomology • Firearms Analysis • Night and Low-light Photography • Courtroom Testimony
MOST USED DISCIPLINE OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Fingerprint Palm Print FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION FINGERPRINT DETAIL (MINUTAE)
* Bifurcation (#11) * Ending Ridge (#2) * Island (#6) * Dot (#3) * Short Ridge (#7) WRECKER DRIVER BUSTED WITH A PIECE OF ASH
• Arson case • Divorced woman has new boyfriend over • Ex-husband poured gasoline over both vehicles with a gas trail • Used blank tow slip (left hand) to light the gasoline • Fire made fingerprint visible on paper as it burned • Paper stayed intact
PIZZA HUT AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
• Two Suspects ordered tea • Waited until restaurant cleared • Robbed and “Pistol Whipped” the staff • Straw processed with super glue and magnetic powder - identified California suspect • Sugar packet processed with Ninhydrin - identified local criminal CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION
• Photography • Provides a visual representation
• Videography • Provides a “walk through” of the scene
• Diagramming • Sketching • Include all measurements & necessary info • 3D Digital Scanning • Leica 3D Scanner takes measurements in minutes; uploaded into software to create a 3D “walk through” to scale
DOCUMENTATION/ PHOTOGRAPHY
BLOODSTAIN PATTERN ANALYSIS
• The application of scientific principles and techniques to the analysis of bloodstains found at crime scenes
• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis draws on chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to solve practical problems.
FIREARMS ANALYSIS
• Specific information is gathered from fired casings and projectiles (bullets)
NIGHT & LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BODY SEARCH & RECOVERY
A crime scene search is a planned, coordinated, legal search by competent law enforcement officials to locate evidence & or witnesses to a reported crime under investigation. CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION REAL CRIME SCENES WELCOME
Would you like to take a tour of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab?
CONTACT INFO:
Leslie McCauley Crime Scene Investigator Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office [email protected] (936) 538-3413